To be filed under Great Ideas: The thredUP Halloween costume swap

Name something cuter than an adorable infant in a lion costume complete with mane headpiece. That's right—can't be done. Well, unlese it's an adorable infant in a lobster costume. That would be close.

Truthfully, any costume you put on your little hamhock-thighed baby this Halloween is going to be a winner, because that kid is off-the-charts darling already, are we right? That M&M/pea in a pod/hot dog suit is just delicious, delicious icing. But the one thing that could kick your fun factor back a notch would be having to pay major bucks for a (totally great, but still) novelty dress up piece that will be far too small once next Halloween rolls around.

Enter thredUP. Already a rad clothing swap website for every season, thredUP is the ultimate site to surf from now through October 22. That's because it's time for their annual Halloween Costume Swap—a virtual trade off between moms of their gently used, outgrown costumes for other great ones that fit. All for only $5 + shipping per box. That's it! No getting in the car to drive to that giant costume chain store, no major dents put in your budget, just a leisurely browse through their site from the comfort of your own home and a delivery right to your doorstep. A win-win?You betcha.

Here's how it works: First, join thredUP. (Membership is free!) Next, browse the thousands of Halloween boxes on thredUP listed by moms across the country. Pick a box for only $5 plus shipping. Then, list a box with your child’s outgrown Halloween costume and gently used Halloween-themed clothing and items online. When another mom picks your Halloween box, send it for free! And if you're into decorating for the holiday, you should also know that while the main element is Halloween costumes, there will be overall Halloween-themed boxes that can include other Halloween-themed clothing, decor, items like trick-or-treat bags, etc. (New customers can buy 2 boxes before they need to list a box.)

So many choices, so little time. Bob Marley? Tiny alien? The classic but always aww-worthy pumpkin? Better get to browsing!